Barcelona recovered from a shaky start to claim a 4-2 victory over Slavia Praha in the UEFA Champions League at Fortuna Arena on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Two first-half goals from Fermin Lopez laid the groundwork for the visitors’ comeback and ultimately secured a crucial win.
Slavia Praha initially shocked the Catalans with an early strike from Vasil Kusej. To make matters worse for Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski inadvertently scored an own goal from a corner, putting the hosts ahead. However, Hansi Flick’s second-half substitutions proved decisive, turning the match in Barcelona’s favor.
Dani Olmo made an instant impact after entering the field, firing a stunning goal that shifted momentum. Marcus Rashford followed up by delivering a precise assist for Lewandowski’s goal, restoring Barcelona’s confidence. While the win strengthens their position in the group, the match ended with growing concerns over Pedri’s injury.
Here’s a detailed player performance review from Barcelona’s clash against Slavia Praha.
Goalkeeper and Defensive Line
- Joan Garcia – 6/10
Garcia appeared vulnerable during set-piece situations but still managed to make several crucial saves to keep Barcelona in the game. - Jules Kounde – 6/10
A performance lacking consistency, though he contributed effectively to the buildup of Dani Olmo’s decisive goal in the second half. - Eric Garcia – 7/10
Confident in carrying the ball out from the back, Eric played a role in Barcelona’s first goal despite occasional lapses in composure. - Gerard Martin – 5/10
Struggled with nerves throughout the match, losing several duels to Slavia’s attackers and contributing little to the defensive stability. - Alejandro Balde – 5/10
Slow to react to Slavia’s opening goal, and offered minimal attacking support down the left flank.
Midfield Performances
- Frenkie de Jong – 7/10
Slow to react to the opening goal, but gradually took control as the game progressed, driving Barcelona’s tempo. A late yellow card means he will miss the next match. - Pedri – 5/10
Faced challenges finding space and creating opportunities, and his exit due to injury is a major concern for Barcelona ahead of upcoming fixtures. - Fermin Lopez – 8/10
The standout performer of the night, scoring two top-quality goals. His intelligent movement and calmness in front of goal made him the defining factor in Barcelona’s victory.
Forward Line Analysis
- Roony Bardghji – 5/10
Filling in for the absent Lamine Yamal, Bardghji struggled to influence the match and missed early chances to make an impact. - Robert Lewandowski – 6/10
A difficult night highlighted by an own goal, yet he redeemed himself by finishing off Barcelona’s final goal, showcasing his striker instincts. - Raphinha – 6/10
Not particularly dominant, but his relentless work rate paid off with a clever assist for Lopez’s opening goal.
Substitutes Who Made an Impact
- Dani Olmo – 7/10
Immediate impact upon entering the field, scoring a thunderous shot into the top corner to change the game’s momentum. - Marcus Rashford – 7/10
Injected fresh energy and provided the crucial assist for Lewandowski’s goal, helping secure the victory. - Marc Bernal – 6/10
Came on late to stabilize the midfield and maintain Barcelona’s defensive structure. - Ronald Araujo – 6/10
Calm and reliable in the closing minutes, reinforcing the backline and ensuring Barcelona maintained their lead.
Key Takeaways
Barcelona’s win demonstrated resilience and tactical flexibility. Fermin Lopez’s brilliance in midfield proved decisive, and the contributions of Olmo and Rashford off the bench highlighted the depth of the squad. However, Pedri’s injury casts a shadow over the victory, leaving fans anxious about his availability for upcoming matches.
The victory propels Barcelona forward in the Champions League standings, keeping their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages alive. Meanwhile, Slavia Praha must regroup quickly, as their defensive lapses and inability to capitalize on early opportunities ultimately cost them the match.
Barcelona’s ability to overturn a two-goal deficit underscores their attacking firepower and squad versatility, key traits that will be tested in the challenging weeks ahead.
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